The William Aiken House
EST. 2000
456 King Street, Charleston, SC, United States

The William Aiken House
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The William Aiken House welcomes guests into a peaceful retreat just inside its stately gates on Upper King Street.
Formal dining rooms and parlors showcase a collection of museum-caliber artwork and antiques, while a two-century-old magnolia tree is the centerpiece of sunlit courtyards, manicured lawns and an elegant pergola. 
The Lowdown
Type
BallroomEstate / House / Mansion / VillaHistoric Building
Views
CourtyardGardenHistorical MonumentLandscaped Grounds
Style
Classic
Elegant
Romantic
Traditional
Victorian
Best type of Celebrations
Charity Event
Corporate Event
Product Launch
Holiday Party
Rehearsal Dinner / Welcome Reception
Wedding Ceremony
Wedding Reception
Elopement
Vow Renewal
Anniversary
Engagement Party

Venue Setting

A seamless blend of 18th-century charm and modern sophistication, The William Aiken House welcomes guests into a peaceful retreat just inside its stately gates on Upper King Street. Formal dining rooms and parlors showcase a collection of museum-caliber artwork and antiques, while a two-century-old magnolia tree is the centerpiece of sunlit courtyards, manicured lawns and an elegant pergola.

Capacity

Seated
500
Buffet
500
Standing
500
Fees
(Prices listed here are estimates only & are subject to change)
Price range

Does this include catering fees?

No

Insurance

Additional Insurance Is Required To Host An Event At This Venue

Connect
Call Venue
Event Logistics and Amenities
(Essential event logistics and amenities to ensure a seamless and memorable experience for you gathering)
Celebrations hosted here since
2000
Curfew
11 PM
Venue spaces
Indoor & Outdoor Venue Spaces Available
Catering
Client Must Use The Catering Provided By The Venue
Alcohol
Provided By Venue For Fee – You Must Use The Venue For All Alcohol Services
Corkage/Bottle Fee – You Can Bring Your Own Alcohol For A Fee
Music
Outdoors Only
Smoking
Smoking Permitted
Accommodations
The William Aiken House features two guest suites in a beautifully restored, Gothic-style carriage house that originally served as the property's stables. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of King Street, each of the luxurious duplex suites offer a living and dining area, kitchenette, master bedroom and full bath, with bluestone courtyard and views of our magnificent 200-year-old magnolia tree. Amenities showcase:
  • Mini bar, coffee pot, hair dryer, microwave, toaster oven
    Cable television & local phone service
    Luxurious bed linens, bath towels and L'Occitane bath products
    Complimentary wireless access
Eco/Green Events
Yes
Pet-Friendly Events
Yes
Kid Friendly Events
Yes
Handicap Accessible
Yes
Amenities
  • Bridal Suite/Changing Rooms Onsite
  • Street Parking
  • Wifi
  • Onsite Restrooms
Inside Scoop

Step out onto the open-air piazzas on the second floor of The William Aiken House for cocktail hour with views overlooking Downtown Charleston's vibrant Upper King Street.

Venue Features
The scene:

Sweeping ballrooms, lush private grounds and open-air piazzas make this historic 1810 mansion one of Charleston’s most sought-after venues for weddings and once-in-a-lifetime occasions. The William Aiken House is nestled in the heart of Downtown's flourishing Upper King Street Design District within walking distance to renowned hotels, fine dining, shopping, historic sites and cultural experiences.

Design:

This National Historic Landmark is radiant in sophisticated grandeur following a meticulous two-year restoration by Patrick Properties Hospitality Group. While its furnishings are not Aiken family heirlooms, careful research has allowed us to create a historically accurate reflection of the Aikens’ personal tastes. Ballrooms and formal dining & drawing rooms showcase museum-caliber artwork and antiques similar to those the family would have collected during their travels.

Standout venue features:
The Patrick Properties culinary team provides custom menu selections designed with your personal touch. Before, during and after your tasting, our Executive Chef and Managers will work closely with you to create a thoughtful menu that perfectly suits your event, while our professional event team ensures that service will be flawless. Our talented PPHG Pastry Chef also specializes in exquisite wedding cakes and delicious confections for your celebration. Sourcing fresh, local ingredients from Lowcountry farmers and fishermen is a cornerstone of our food & beverage program.
Awards & Notables
Awards, recognitions, or noteworthy achievements associated with the venue.
Distinguished as a 2014 BRIDES Best Venue in America, The William Aiken House has also been recently celebrated by Southern Living magazine and Martha Stewart Weddings as the premier wedding venue for the state of South Carolina. Starring film roles include The Notebook. We’re honored for our Charleston venues to grace the pages of both prominent local publications and international lifestyle media alike, with major features in The Knot, Conde Nast Traveler, Southern Weddings, Weddings Unveiled, Southern Bride, Style Me Pretty, Snippet & Ink and many more. The 1810 William Aiken House is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Venue matched with reports
Weddings
20+ Modern Day Ballrooms You’ll Actually Want to Get Married In
With all the new hotel openings of the past few years, we’ve been beside ourselves with excitement over the good lookin’ ballrooms that have come with them. Gone are the days of ballrooms filled with putty-colored chairs, crazy patterned carpets and bad lighting. In with the new school of ballrooms that have tons of windows and sunlight, hardwood floors, neutral palettes and beautiful views. In this edition of ballrooms we think you’ll actually want to get married in, we’re headed to 17 different cities. This scouting mission includes a whole lot of modern spaces with a few traditional, golden era ballrooms thrown in too. Because variety is the spice of life, right? Reporter: Alyssa Brown | Venue: Rosecliff
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Weddings
16 Picturesque South Carolina Wedding Venues
South Carolina wedding venues all have one thing in common: breathtaking ambiance. Whether you are looking to tie the knot overlooking the Ashley River or want the gardens of a plantation to be your backdrop, each one of these South Carolina venues has the magic for your big day. Take your pick from the historical, the rustic and the industrial. These picturesque locations provide the romance, all that's missing is the bride and groom. With one of these 16 venues, your South Carolina wedding will be the talk of the town. Reporter: Scout | Venue: Brookgreen Gardens 
Read roundup
Weddings
17 of Charleston’s Most Romantic and Historic Wedding Venues
The Carolinas hold a piece of every Southerner’s heart. And Charleston, being the quintessential charming Southern town it is, certainly ranks at the top of that heart strung list. Allow us to break it down in terms everyone can relate to: The Notebook was filmed here. If that doesn’t describe the sweet Americana vibe you get on the streets of Charleston, just picture the giant overhanging oak trees and delightful hospitality South Carolina is known for. And then picture the most famous American love story of the 21st century taking place in the middle of that. While Noah and Allie roamed the streets scoping out movie theaters and laying under traffic lights, you might find yourselves instead looking for a gorgeous wedding venue in Charleston. In such a case, we’ve searched near and far for the best wedding spots in South Carolina that run the gamut from boutique hotels to old plantation homes. If a sweet Southern wedding is on your wishlist, check out these top wedding venues in and around Charleston. By: Alyssa Brown Venue: Middleton Place Wondering about room blocks for your wedding guests in Charleston? Check out our tips on booking block rooms & group rates.
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The William Aiken House
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